APNewsBreak: Bus driver issues apology to victims

By Associated Press

Published: July 26, 2011, 5:49 AM

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The 26-year-old driver of a tour bus that crashed in Utah and killed three Japanese tourists last year is apologizing to families of the dead, saying he deeply regrets his actions.

An English translation of Yasushi Mikuni's letter was provided to The Associated Press on Tuesday by his Las Vegas defense attorney.

Mikuni pleaded guilty in a Cedar City state court in May to three felony counts of operating a vehicle negligently causing serious injury or death. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 5.

The bus carrying 14 Japanese tourists was headed from Nevada to national parks in Utah when it rolled on Interstate 15.

In his apology, Mikuni says he struggles to understand why his life was spared while others died.